Quality of Experience and Visitor Profile of the High Mountain Visitation of the Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos, Brazil

Abstract

Reaching different visitor profiles to protected areas (PA) is strategic to broaden and democratize access to goods, and the support and connection of society with its heritage. However, managing a complexity and diversity of expectations and needs is one of the major challenges for use. In view of the recognition of the importance and the growing interest in monitoring the profile and quality of the experience in PA, this paper presents the results of a research to characterize the high mountain visitation of Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO), Brazil, the third oldest and one of the most visited in the country. One of the peaks of this visitation occurs during the winter months, when visitors seek a great number of activities and experiences in the park's high mountain. The objective was to test a visitation monitoring form, sent in electronic format to users who visited the park throughout 2018, to discuss the possibilities of improving the process of monitoring the quality of experience and services provided, in mostly leased to a private company. A total of 244 visitors answered the questionnaire and, based on the results found, the implications for monitoring the quality of the visitor experience in PA are discussed and subsidies are offered for the development of research instruments and monitoring of visitation.